Choreographer

Choreography is about the composition of the movement of people. A choreographer is responsible for the composition and direction of this movement.

This often involves long sequences of dance and movement. The movement can be conducted in a range of styles, such as ballet, street dance, folk dance or musical theatre.

Choreographers translate ideas into dance sequences. They do this by:

• Co-ordinating the movements of one or more dancers in designated spaces (such as a stage or film set)
• Overseeing and co-ordinating the work of designers, musicians and any other artists who collaborate with them.

Choreographers plan and rehearse each movement of each member of the company. A notator may record the movements they have devised for the production, but choreographers usually rely on video recordings and the memory of individual dancers in rehearsals.

The role of a choreographer

As a choreographer, you would create dance routines and movement sequences for dancers and other performers. You could choreograph stage, TV or film performances, music videos and even fashion shows or corporate events. You may also act as a movement coach for actors.

You would normally specialise in a particular style of dance, for example:

• classical ballet
• modern dance
• jazz dance and musical theatre
• ballroom
• non-western (such as Indian or African)
• disability dance.

You mighty create your own dance pieces, or interpret a director's instructions. Your work could involve:

• developing ideas and turning them into a finished performance
• planning movements to fit the music
• meeting producers, costume designers, and musical and artistic directors
• choosing music
• auditioning dancers
• teaching and rehearsing the dancers
• recording the steps using a notation system, such as Labanotation or Benesh.

If you worked freelance, you would also spend time marketing yourself, finding new work and dealing with your own tax and accounts.

Running your own dance company would involve auditioning dancers, hiring staff and doing administrative tasks such as applying for funding.

How to become a choreographer

Maintain and develop your fitness and dance skills throughout your career.

You will need a high level of dance training and experience. Most choreographers start as professional dancers and often begin choreographing whilst still working as dancers, especially in smaller companies.

Many dancers start training at a very early age, often taking graded examinations, and moving on to a vocational dance school, to take a three-year degree/diploma or one-year postgraduate diploma in professional dance or musical theatre.

The Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET) has information on accredited dance courses.

As an experienced dancer, you would often become an assistant choreographer after being a dance captain (who leads and rehearses other dancers but does not create the steps). You could also find work experience with an established choreographer.

Training for choreographers

As a new choreographer, you would develop your skills by shadowing or assisting an experienced choreographer.

You could choose to take a postgraduate course in choreography at a professional dance school or university. These courses are aimed at dance graduates or experienced dancers who wish to further their careers.

Dance UK offers professional development and networking opportunities for choreographers through the National Choreographers' Forum.

You should maintain and develop your fitness and dance skills throughout your career. Several dance schools and regional dance agencies offer advanced classes and workshops for professional dancers and choreographers.